Autonomous Driving Revolution: From Deserts to Desserts with Intelligent Connected Vehicles

What comes to mind when you think of the words “desert” and “dessert”? At first glance, these two seem unrelated, but with the advancement of autonomous driving technology, they now have something in common. Intelligent Connected Vehicles (ICVs) are revolutionizing industries from vast deserts to city streets, offering solutions for both freight transportation and urban services.

KargoBot: Driverless Trucks in Deserts

At the 2024 World Intelligent Connected Vehicles Conference (WICV), KargoBot, a company incubated by Didi Autonomous Driving, showcased its progress in autonomous freight driving. Since its debut in 2021, KargoBot has deployed over 300 driverless freight trucks in the Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region. These trucks operate in the remote and sparsely populated regions of northern and northwestern China, ideal environments for testing the limits of autonomous driving.

KargoBot’s fleet employs a unique system: a manned front vehicle with L2 assisted driving leads the way, while a convoy of unmanned rear vehicles with L4 autonomous driving follows. This method enhances scene-processing capabilities by 50 times and increases the safety index by 20 times compared to single-vehicle autonomous driving systems.

“Our fleet is primarily used in large industrial parks, such as coal mines and power plants, where fixed-point round-trip transportation is needed,” a KargoBot representative explained. The company is also expanding its reach, negotiating with Mongolia and Middle Eastern countries like the UAE and Saudi Arabia, where vast, open landscapes provide ideal conditions for unmanned freight operations.

Neolix: Desserts on Wheels with Autonomous Ice Cream Vehicles

While KargoBot conquers the deserts, Neolix, another Chinese ICV company, is making an impact in urban environments, offering an unexpected delight: unmanned ice cream vehicles. Designed for industrial parks, airports, railway stations, and public parks, these autonomous vehicles can operate for up to 12 hours on a single charge. Equipped with real-time speed adjustment and obstacle avoidance technology, Neolix vehicles are not only functional but also a fun, futuristic addition to city streets.

Neolix’s products, including delivery and ice cream vehicles, have gained popularity in regions around the world, from the UAE and Japan to Switzerland. Their appeal lies in their ability to bring convenience and joy to urban areas while showcasing the potential of autonomous vehicles beyond traditional transport roles.

The Growing ICV Market

China’s ICV market is booming. In 2024, the market is expected to reach 215.2 billion yuan, with projections estimating it will surpass 5 trillion yuan by 2030. The broader market, including intelligent roadside infrastructure and cloud control platforms, is predicted to exceed 14 trillion yuan.

As Qiu Xiandong, Chairman of China FAW Group, emphasized in his keynote speech at the WICV, “Intelligent connected vehicles are subverting the form of automobile products in China and the world. They are rapidly evolving from functional and mechanical products to intelligent ecological products.”

ICVs are no longer just a means of transportation—they are becoming integral parts of logistics, information, and energy networks. This transformation marks the dawn of a new era in automotive technology, where vehicles are smarter, safer, and more integrated into the fabric of society.

From the deserts of Inner Mongolia to the streets of bustling cities, autonomous driving technology is reshaping industries. Companies like KargoBot and Neolix are leading the charge, demonstrating that intelligent connected vehicles are not only capable of transporting freight but also bringing ice cream to your local park. As the ICV market continues to expand, the possibilities for autonomous vehicles are endless, promising to revolutionize how we experience transportation and urban living.

Afsheen Gohar

Afsheen Gohar is a seasoned writer with a wealth of experience in crafting authentic and well-researched articles. Her dedication to delivering high-quality content is evident in her work, where she combines a passion for storytelling with a commitment to accuracy and depth. Afsheen’s writing reflects her ability to engage readers with compelling narratives while providing valuable insights on a diverse range of topics.